Screw captivator

ABSTRACT

A device for captivating a variety of fasteners relative to a first member. A captivator includes a body adapted to be secured to the first member and a retainer received within the body and having a surface engaging a captured fastener. Together the body and retainer maintain the captivated fastener in place relative to the first member. Keyway surfaces are provided upon the body or retainer or both and an external or internal key engages the keyway surfaces to selectively lock the body and retainer together, such as during installation or replacement of the captured fastener. Upon removal of the key, the retainer is free to rotate and translate relative to the body.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 61/344,802, filed Oct. 13, 2010, and incorporated herein byreference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to fasteners, and more particularly, to a captivescrew-type fastener assembly for securing together a pair of members,and where the fastener is retained in position on one of the members tobe secured, when disconnected.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Broadly, captive fastener assemblies are well known, including but notlimited to a variety of captive screw devices. Many of these assembliesare relatively complex and consist of customized components.Reliability, ease of operation and overall efficiency of known fastenerassemblies is often inadequate. For example, the screws used in manyknown fastener assemblies are custom machined components which add tocosts and limit the applicability of a given assembly. Because of thecustomized nature of prior captive screw assemblies, a significantinventory of component parts is often required to accommodate differentcaptive screw requirements. Furthermore, additional machinery and effortare ordinarily required to affix captive screw assemblies.Interchangeability of known assemblies has also been limited. Stillfurther, many captive screw assemblies have inseparable components andfield repair is difficult if not unfeasible. Often an entire panel orsubassembly must be returned to a shop for repair or replacement whenthe captive screw is damaged.

Thus, a need remains for a screw captivator providing improvedreliability, ease of operation, and overall efficiency. A need alsoexists for a system of screw captivators consisting of modularcomponents and suitable for use with conventional threaded fasteners.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a screw captivator that is both simpleand economical to manufacture, and readily installed and used. Thecaptivator avoids extraneous parts and cumbersome connections. Thepresent invention also provides a system of screw captivators utilizingmodular components suitable for use with conventional threadedfasteners. In this manner, a system of relatively few components cancaptivate a vast array of screws or other threaded fasteners. A screwcaptivator of the present invention provides a simplified installationprocedure and reduces the cost of the use of the captivators of thisinvention.

The present invention relates to a screw captivator useful, for example,to secure together a pair of members, such as panels. For example, inoperation the panels are brought together with the bottom surface of theupper panel being flush with the top surface of the lower panel. Mountedupon the top surface of the upper panel is a captured screw with athreaded shaft of the screw capable of protruding beyond the bottomsurface of the upper panel so as to engage a nut or other threadedaperture of the lower panel. By tightening the captive screw, the panelsare secured together.

To use an example of a screw captivator of the present invention, theupper panel is prepared by drilling or punching a hole or slot of aselected diameter. A counter bore may be drilled or a dimple may beformed on the bottom side of the upper panel, to accommodate connectionof a body to the upper panel. A threaded retainer is then passed intothe body and is sized to engage the captive screw. A tool may be used toengage and lock the body and retainer together while the screw to becaptured is threaded into the retainer. The tool may be an external,hand-graspable tool having a keyed end adapted to engage keyway surfacesof the body or retainer or both. Alternatively, either the body orretainer may incorporate a tool, such as a keyed surface, to engage akeyway and lock the body and retainer together while the captive screwis threaded into the retainer. A variety of different keys and keywaysare disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the key is provided on thedistal end of an external tool which is inserted into the body from theunderside of the top panel. The tool includes a cylindrical receptaclefor receiving a portion of the captive screw shaft during assembly. Oncethe retainer and captive screw are connected, the tool can be withdrawnto permit free rotation between the body and the retainer/captive screw.

One object of the invention is to provide a captivator capable ofcapturing a wide variety of common, conventional threaded fasteners.Another object of the invention is to provide a system of screwcaptivators which significantly reduces the number of component partsnecessary to capture a wide variety of threaded fasteners. Asignificantly smaller inventory of component parts would be needed toaccommodate a variety of threaded fasteners as compared to systems ofthe prior art.

Another object of the invention is to provide a captivator with aself-ejecting feature using an ejection spring. The ejection spring canbe protected from hostile environments when the captive screw isfastened.

A further object of the invention is to provide a screw captivator whichis simple, rugged, small in size and suitable for low-cost massproduction.

Other purposes will appear in the ensuing specification, drawings andclaims. The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features andtechnical advantages of the present invention in order that the detaileddescription of the invention that follows may be better understood.Additional features and advantages of the invention will be describedhereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. Itshould be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conceptionand specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis formodifying or designing other structures for carrying out the samepurposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by thoseskilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart fromthe spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appendedclaims. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic ofthe invention, both as to its organization and method of operation,together with further objects and advantages will be better understoodfrom the following description when considered in connection with theaccompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, thateach of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration anddescription only and is not intended as a definition of the limits ofthe present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings which form part of the specification andwherein like numerals and letters refer to like parts wherever theyoccur.

FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of a pair of screw captivators inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the screw captivators of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective illustration of the screw captivators of FIG. 1shown in an extended or retracted orientation.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the screw captivators of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the screw captivators of FIG.1

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a cap screw and cover suitable for use with thescrew captivator of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the screw of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a screw captivator utilizing the capscrew and cover of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the screw captivator of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a body component of the screwcaptivator of FIG. 1.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the body component of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is another perspective view of the body component of FIG. 10.

FIGS. 13, 14 and 15 are yet other perspective views of the bodycomponent of FIG. 10.

FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view of the screw captivator of FIG.1 including an assembly tool.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the assembly tool of FIG. 16 along witha retainer component of the screw captivator.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of a screw captivator and assemblytool as depicted during an assembly process.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the assembly tool, panel members andretainer components of the screw captivator of FIG. 1.

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of the assembly tool, captivefastener, retainer and body components of the screw captivator of FIG.1.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a captive screw, body and retainercomponents and assembly tool.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the body component of the screwcaptivator of FIG. 1 and the assembly tool.

FIGS. 23 and 24 are perspective views of a second embodiment of the bodyand retainer components of a screw captivator in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIGS. 25 and 26 are perspective views of a third embodiment of the bodyand retainer components of a screw captivator in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIGS. 27 and 28 are perspective views of a third embodiment of the bodyand retainer components of a screw captivator in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIGS. 29 and 30 are perspective views of a fourth embodiment of the bodyand retainer components of a screw captivator in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIGS. 31 and 32 are perspective views of a fifth embodiment of the bodyand retainer components of a screw captivator in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIGS. 33 and 34 are perspective views of a sixth embodiment of the bodyand retainer components of a screw captivator in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIGS. 35 and 36 are perspective views of a seventh embodiment of thebody and retainer components of a screw captivator in accordance withthe present invention.

FIG. 37 is a perspective view of a screw captivator in accordance withthe present invention.

FIG. 38 is a cross-sectional view taken through a body component of analternative embodiment of a screw captivator.

FIG. 39 is a detailed view of FIG. 38 depicting the connection between abase and retainer elements of the body component of FIG. 38.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodimentsof the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied inmany different forms and should not be construed as limited to theembodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided sothat this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fullyconvey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Likenumbers refer to like elements throughout, and prime notation is used toindicate similar elements in alternate embodiments.

Referring now to FIG. 1, two embodiments of the present invention areillustrated as screw captivators 10, 20 for securing together twoelements, such as plate or panel members 30, 32, via a captured screw40. The configuration of members 30, 32 may be widely varied and neednot constitute plate members. The present invention can thus be adaptedto secure together a wide variety of elements, such as plates, panels,frames, etc. For simplicity's sake member 30, 32 will simply be referredto as panels in this description.

In one application of the invention, panel 30 may be a removable paneland panel 32 may be a frame or body. FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the screwcaptivators 10, 20 as connecting panels 30, 32. FIGS. 3 and 4 illustratethe screw captivators in retracted (non-connected) configurations.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 1, where screw captivator 10 isa non-spring loaded assembly. In comparison, screw captivator 20 of FIG.3 includes a spring 22 which biases the captured screw 40 upwardly so asto retract a threaded end of the captive screw 40. Depending on thelength of the screw 40, the threaded end of screw 40 may be fullyretracted into the assembly 20, thereby precluding scratching ordamaging the underlying member 32. When the threaded end of captivescrew 40 is released from panel member 32 it is thus automaticallyretracted and can be made to entirely enter the body 21. Such fullretractability means that the panels 30, 32 can be essentially flushagainst each other prior to tightening down of the captive screw 40.

Screw captivator 10 includes body 11, retainer 12 and washer 13(optional). For illustration purposes, captive screw 40 is shown as asimple hex-headed screw fastener adapted to engage a nut 14 of panel 32.As described in detail hereinafter, captive screw 40 may assume avariety of shapes, size and configurations including non-headedfasteners, simple threaded shanks, handles, knobs, etc.

In this assembly, body 11 secures the captured screw 40 to panel member30. The retainer 12 is a cylindrical element having an outwardlyprojecting flange 16 at one end. This is for engagement with an inwardlyextending flange 17 on the body 11 when the two parts are fittedtogether. In other words, when the retainer 12 is received into the body11, it can slide relative to the body 11, but axial movement in onedirection is limited by the flanges 16, 17.

Body 11 may be secured to panel member 30 via welding, adhesive,mechanical deformation, etc., or may be freely disassociated from member30. In one embodiment, body 11 includes an end which is swaged to securebody 11 to member 30. In another embodiment, body 11 can be secured topanel 30 via a floating connection. For example, body 11 can be securedso as to permit movement within an elongate slot. Body 11 could also besecured to panel 30 via a snap-fit structure, such as described hereinwith reference to FIGS. 38 and 39.

Retainer 12 captivates screw 40 within body 11. As described in moredetail hereinafter, when fitted together flange 16 of retainer 12cooperates with flange 17 of body 11 to precludes screw 40 fromdetaching from body 11. When screw 40 is retained by retainer 12, it canmove relative to the body 11, but axial movement in one direction islimited by contact between flanges 16, 17 so as to prevent detachment.Flanges 16, 17 thus act to captivate the captive screw 40 while stillallowing unrestricted rotation of the captive screw 40.

Washer 13 is optional and provides a means for facilitating the rotationof the screw head relative to the body 11. A variety of washer styles(e.g., split, configured, flat) could be utilized as dictated by a givenapplication.

Panel nut 14 may be secured to the underside of panel member 32 viawelding, adhesive, deformation, etc. or may be freely disassociated withmember 32. In alternative embodiments, panel nut 14 can be replaced witha simple aperture which need not even contain internal threads. Forillustration purposes, panel nut 14 of FIG. 2 simply provides aninternally-threaded element which is engaged by the captive screwassembly 10 to secure the panels 30, 32 together.

The second embodiment of screw captivator 20 includes body 21, spring22, cover 23, retainer 12 and panel nut 14. Body 21 may be secured topanel member 30 via welding, adhesive, deformation, etc. or may befreely disassociated from member 30. In one embodiment, body 11 includesan end which is swaged to secure body 11 to member 30.

Spring 22 biases the assembly to a retracted orientation as shown inFIGS. 3 and 4. One end of spring 22 engages a flange 24 on body 21 andthe end of spring 22 engages the underside of cover 23. In otherembodiments, the spring 22 could engage the top surface of panel 30. Topromote a compact assembly, spring 22 is a helical coil having adiameter greater than the diameter of body 21.

Cover 23 is a generally open ended cylinder functioning to shield debrisand conceal spring 22 and also act as a flat wash for screw 40. Cover 23is optional and in embodiments not having cover 23, spring 22 may engagethe underside of screw 40 (or handle, knob, etc.) or be replaced by aflat washer. Cover 23 may include knurling or other surface texture orconfigurations.

FIG. 5 illustrates components of the screw captivator 10, 20 in anexploded perspective view.

FIGS. 6 through 9 illustrate another embodiment of cover 50 wherein aconventional socket head cap screw 52 is received within cover 50. Capscrew 52 may be press-fit into engagement with cover 50 or be secured byadhesive. In another embodiment, cover 50 could be larger and form ahand-graspable knob.

Referring now to FIGS. 10 and 11, details of body 11 will be discussed.Body 11 is generally cylindrical in form and includes a first end 60adapted to receive retainer 12. Second end 62 includes flange structure17 for engaging flange structure 16 of retainer 12 thereby limitingaxial displacement of the retainer relative to body 11. First end 60 mayinclude an annular narrowing size to be received within a panelaperture. The first end 60 may be deformed, such as via a swagingprocess, to secure the body 11 to a panel. In other embodiments, body 11may be welded or otherwise mechanically coupled to a panel. While body11 is illustrated as a generally cylindrical form, alternativeembodiments of body 11 could assume a variety of other forms.

A portion of body 11 defines keyway surfaces 64 which are engaged by akeyed tool as described hereinafter. The keyed tool is utilized duringassembly/disassembly of the captive screw assembly 10. A variety ofdifferent keyway surfaces may be provided upon body 11 as describedherein with reference to FIGS. 23 through 26.

Referring now to FIGS. 12 through 15, retainer 12 is shown in variousviews. Retainer 12 is generally cylindrical in form and includesinterior threading 70 and flange structure 16 at one end. Interiorthreading 70 is adapted to engage threading on the screw 40 to becaptured. The interior threading 70 need to extend the full length ofretainer 12. Various thread sizes, pitches and configurations areenvisioned for a family of retainers 12 to accommodate various screwsizes and pitches. In addition, the upper end of the retainer 12 may berelieved to allow the retainer to thread up a screw 40 that is not fullythreaded. Also, the upper end of the retainer 12 may have externalrelief so that a standard flat washer may slide over it. Retainer 12 issized for axial movement within body 11 with flange structure 16preventing detachment of retainer 12 from body 11.

The connection between retainer 12 and captive screw 40 may be furthersecured with an adhesive, such as a thread locking compound, to inhibitloosening. In another embodiment, retainer 12 may include otherthread-locking structures such as a deformable polymer tip, asymmetricthreading, lock washers, etc. In one embodiment, the end of retainer 12may be designed to deform upon contact with the captive screw 40 tofurther lock the components together.

A portion of retainer 12 defines keyway surfaces 74 which are alsoengaged by a keyed tool during installation or repair. As describedhereinafter, the keyed tool engages the keyway surfaces 64 and 74 ofbody 11 and retainer 12, respectively, to lock the body 11 and retainer12 together so as to facilitate coupling the retainer 12 onto the screw40.

Referring now to FIGS. 16 and 17, an embodiment of a keyed tool 80adapted for use with the body 11 and retainer 12 of FIGS. 1-4 isillustrated. Tool 80 includes a hand graspable handle attached to shaft82 having a keyed end 84. Keyed end 84 includes a generally cylindricalreceptacle 86 sized to receive a shaft of captive screw 40. Keyed end 84further includes key surfaces adapted to engage keyway surfaces 64, 74of body 11 and retainer 12, respectively. In this embodiment, keyed end84 is a simple bifurcation of a hollow end of shaft 82.

As shown in FIG. 18, the keyed end 84 of tool 80 is inserted into thefirst end 60 of body 11 during installation. A shaft portion of captivescrew 40 received into receptacle 86. As tool 80 is inserted into body11 and rotated as needed, keyed end 84 engages the keyway 74 of retainer12, as shown in FIG. 19 (body 11 removed from view).

FIG. 20 is a cutaway illustration showing the tool end 84 just prior tocontact with the keyway surfaces 64, 74 of body 11 and retainer 12. Astool 80 is further inserted and rotated into body 11, keyed end 84 thenengages keyway 64 of body 11 as shown in the detailed view of FIG. 21.Body 11 and tool 80 are separately shown in FIG. 22 to illustrate thecoupling between keyed end 84 and keyway surfaces 64 of body 11.

With tool 80 fully inserted to engage the keyway surfaces 64, 74 of body11 and retainer 12, the components are locked together. Captive screw 40can then be secured to retainer 12 by rotation of captive screw 40relative to retainer 12. The tool 80 thus provides an interface to bothforce the retainer 12 out of body 11 and also lock the body 11 andretainer 12 together while the captive screw is rotated into engagementwith retainer 12. With the hand-graspable version of tool 80, torqueapplied to captive screw 40 is resisted by the coupling between the body11 and panel 30 or transferred to the tool handle. If the body 11 isloosely secured to panel 30, torque applied to captive screw 40 iscounteracted with torque applied to tool 80. Once tool 80 is removed,retainer 12 is unlocked from body 11 and the captive screw 40 andretainer 12 are free to rotate relative to body 11.

FIGS. 23 and 24 illustrate another embodiment of a retainer 102 suitablewith use with body 11. In this embodiment, retainer 102 defines a keyedsurface 104 which engages the keyway 64 of body 11, thus allowing forassembly without an external tool. In operation, the retainer 102 isaxially displaced within body 11 so that keyed surface 104 engageskeyway 64 of body 11, thereby locking the body 11 and retainer 102together as the captive screw 40 is secured to retainer 102. Onceretainer 102 is displaced away from the keyway 64, the body 11 andretainer are unlocked and the captive screw 40 and retainer are free torotate relative to body 11.

FIGS. 25 and 26 illustrated another embodiment of a retainer 120suitable for use with a body 122. In this embodiment, retainer 120defines a keyed surface 124 which engage keyway surfaces 126 of body122. Keyed surface 124 has a hexagonal form which engages acorresponding hex-shaped keyway 126. In operation, the retainer 120 isaxially displaced within body 122 so that keyed surface 124 engageskeyway surfaces 126 of body 122. Once retainer 120 is axially displacedaway from keyway surfaces 126, the body 122 and retainer 120 areunlocked and the captive screw 40 and retainer are free to rotaterelative to body 122. A variety of different key and keyway surfaces areenvisioned on body and retainer components of the present invention.

FIGS. 27 and 28 illustrate another body 130 and retainer 132 for usewith an external tool (not shown) for holding the retainer 132 as thecaptive screw 40 is inserted into retainer 132. Retainer 132 has one ormore flats 134 adapted to be engaged by an external wrench or othertool.

FIGS. 29 and 30 illustrate another retainer 140 for use with body 11.Keyway surfaces 142 are defined upon retainer 140 away from flange 144.A rectangular aperture in retainer 140 forms the keyway surfaces 142.Other aperture configurations would also be practicable. An externalkeyed tool (not shown) can engage keyway surfaces 64, 142 so as to lockthe body 11 and retainer 140 together during assembly.

FIGS. 31 and 32 illustrate another body 150 and retainer 152. Retainer152 can be a spiral-formed wire component having an enlarged end 154sized to prevent detachment of the retainer 152 from body 150. Retainer152 can be a wire having a triangular cross section formed to conform tothreads of the captive screw.

FIGS. 33 and 34 illustrate another body 160 and retainer 162 wherein theretainer 162 snaps into body 160. A deflecting portion 164 of body 160is adapted to deflect as the flange 166 of retainer 162 is inserted intobody 160. In another embodiment the deflecting portion can be providedupon retainer 162.

FIGS. 35 and 36 illustrate another embodiment of a body 170 and retainer172 wherein the retainer 172 includes a relatively thin, broken flange174 adapted to pass through a gap 176 in body 170. During assembly, anedge of broken flange 174 is inserted into the gap 176 and the retainer172 is rotated to pass the flange 174 into the body 170.

Captive screw 40 includes a variety of threaded assemblies. For example,FIG. 37 illustrates a captive screw 40 having a hand-graspable knob 180connected to a threaded shaft 182. In another example, captive screw 40provides a handle.

An alternative embodiment of a body 190 is illustrated in FIGS. 38 and39. A two-part body 190 includes a body cap 192 and body base 194 whichare snap-fit together during assembly. The body cap 192 and body base194 define a latch mechanism to secure the portions together. Forexample, body cap 192 includes a plurality of internal annular grooves196 which are sized to engage an annular protrusion 197 on body base194. The plurality of grooves 196 allow the same body cap 192 and bodybase 194 to accommodate panels 30 of different thickness. The groovesand protrusions need not be continuous. For example, a plurality ofdisjointed grooves and protrusions could be utilized in anotherembodiment of body 190. During assembly, the body base 194 is passedthrough an aperture in panel 30. A flange 198 precludes body base 194from passing through panel 30.

Although the present invention and its advantages have been described indetail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions andalterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, thescope of the present application is not intended to be limited to theparticular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, compositionof matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. Asone of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from thedisclosure of the present invention, processes, machines, manufacture,compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing orlater to be developed that perform substantially the same function orachieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodimentsdescribed herein may be utilized according to the present invention.Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within theirscope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter,means, methods, or steps.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A device for securing a fastener to a firstmember comprising: a body having a hollow interior and a lower endadapted to be secured to a first member, with an opening in the body atan upper end being defined by a narrowing of the hollow interior, andwith an opening in the body at a lower end; a retainer positioned withinthe hollow interior of the body and having an upper portion sized topass through the opening in the upper end of the body and a lowerportion sized to not pass through the opening in the upper end of thebody and a threaded interior adapted to engage threads of a threadedfastener; a cover having a portion positioned above the body with anupper surface having an aperture larger than a fastener shaft diameterand smaller than a fastener head; and a spring, having an opening intowhich at least portions of the body and retainer are received, wherein afirst end of the spring engages a lower portion of the body at aposition below the narrowing of the hollow interior and a second end ofthe spring engages an underside of the cover, biasing the cover awayfrom the first member, wherein when the fastener is passed through thecover and is threaded into the retainer the fastener is free to rotatebut is limited in axial movement in a first direction by the covercontacting the body or the first member and in a second direction by thelower portion of the retainer contacting the narrowing of the body. 2.The device of claim 1 further comprising a keyway extending through aportion of the body or retainer or both, said keyway adapted to receivea key tool to selectively lock the body and retainer together so as tofacilitate the coupling between the fastener and the retainer, and withthe key tool removed the body and retainer are free to rotate ortranslate relative to each other.
 3. The device of claim 1 wherein thefastener is secured to the cover.
 4. The device of claim 1 wherein thecover is a washer.
 5. The device of claim 1 wherein the spring is hiddenfrom view when the cover is pushed downwardly toward contact with thefirst member.
 6. A device for securing a fastener to a first membercomprising: a body having a hollow interior and a lower end adapted tobe secured to a first member, with an opening in the body at an upperend being defined by a narrowing of the hollow interior, and with anopening in the body at a lower end; a retainer positioned within thehollow interior of the body and having an upper portion sized to passthrough the opening in the upper end of the body and a lower portionsized to not pass through the opening in the upper end of the body and athreaded interior adapted to engage threads of a threaded fastener; anda keyway extending through a portion of the body or retainer or both,said keyway adapted to receive a key tool to selectively lock the bodyand retainer together so as to facilitate the coupling between thefastener and the retainer, and with the key tool removed the body andretainer are free to rotate or translate relative to each other, whereinwhen the fastener is threaded into the retainer the fastener is free torotate but is limited in axial movement in a first direction by contactwith the body and in a second direction by the lower portion of theretainer contacting the narrowing of the body.
 7. The device of claim 6wherein the key tool includes a bifurcated end.
 8. The device of claim 7wherein bifurcations of the key tool engage a flange structure on theretainer.
 9. A device for securing a fastener to a first membercomprising: a body having a body base and a body cap, with the body basesized to be introduced through an opening in a first member, and with asnap-lock structure including at least one groove in an interior of thebody cap which engages at least one protrusion on an exterior surface ofthe body base, said snap-lock securing the body base and body cap to thefirst member, said body having a hollow interior and a lower end adaptedto be secured to the first member, with an opening in the body at anupper end being defined by a narrowing of the hollow interior, and withan opening in the body at a lower end the body; a retainer positionedwithin the hollow interior of the body and having an upper portion sizedto pass through the opening in the upper end of the body and a lowerportion sized to not pass through the opening in the upper end of thebody and a threaded interior adapted to engage threads of a threadedfastener; a cover having a portion positioned above the body with anupper surface having an aperture larger than a fastener shaft diameterand smaller than a fastener head; and a spring, having an opening intowhich at least portions of the body and retainer are received, wherein afirst end of the spring engages a lower portion of the body at aposition below the narrowing of the hollow interior and a second end ofthe spring engages an underside of the cover, biasing the cover awayfrom the first member, wherein when the fastener is passed through thecover and is threaded into the retainer the fastener is free to rotatebut is limited in axial movement in a first direction by the covercontacting the body or the first member and in a second direction by thelower portion of the retainer contacting the narrowing of the body. 10.The device of claim 9 further including a keyway extending through aportion of the body or retainer or both, said keyway adapted to receivea key tool to selectively lock the body and retainer together so as tofacilitate the coupling between the fastener and the retainer, and withthe key tool removed the body and retainer are free to rotate ortranslate relative to each other.
 11. A device for securing a fastenerto a first member comprising: a body having a body base and a body cap,with the body base sized to be introduced through an opening in thefirst member and the body cap engaging the body base with a snap-lockstructure including at least one groove in an interior of the body capwhich engages at least one protrusion on an exterior surface of the bodybase, said snap-lock structure securing the body base and body cap tothe first member, with an opening in the body at an upper end beingdefined by a narrowing of the hollow interior, and with an opening inthe body at a lower end; and a retainer positioned within the hollowinterior of the body and having an upper portion sized to pass throughthe opening in the upper end of the body and a lower portion sized tonot pass through the opening in the upper end of the body and a threadedinterior adapted to engage threads of a threaded fastener, wherein whenthe fastener is passed through the cover and is threaded into theretainer the fastener is free to rotate but is limited in axial movementin a first direction by the cover contacting the body and in a seconddirection by the lower portion of the retainer contacting the narrowingof the body a hollow interior and a lower end adapted to be secured to afirst member.
 12. The device of claim 11 with a keyway extending througha portion of the body or retainer or both, said keyway adapted toreceive a key tool to selectively lock the body and retainer together soas to facilitate a coupling between the fastener and the retainer, andwith the key tool removed the body and retainer are free to rotate ortranslate relative to each other.
 13. The device of claim 12 wherein thekey tool includes a bifurcated end, and wherein bifurcations of the keytool engage a flange structure on the retainer or body or both.
 14. Adevice for securing a screw captivator to a first member comprising: abody base with an upper end, a lower end and a hollow interior, with anopening in the body base at an upper end being defined by a narrowing ofthe hollow interior, and with an opening in the body base at the lowerend, with the upper end being sized to fit through an opening in thefirst member and the lower end being sized to not fit though theopening; and a body cap sized to cap over a portion of the body basethat protrudes above the first member, with at least one groove in theinterior of the body cap to engage at least one protrusion on theexterior of the body, and wherein when the body is introduced from belowthrough the opening in the first member and received into the body cap,a snap-lock structure secures the body base and the body cap to thefirst member.
 15. The device of claim 14 wherein the snap-lock structureincludes a latch mechanism.
 16. The device of claim 15 wherein the latchmechanism includes a groove on the cap and a protrusion on the base. 17.The device of claim 16 wherein the latch mechanism includes a protrusionon the base which is formed by bending a tab out of an upper portion ofthe base.
 18. The device of claim 16 wherein the groove is one of aplurality grooves defined upon the cap, with the plurality of groovesallowing the base and cap to be secured to a plurality of first membershaving different thicknesses.
 19. The device of claim 15 wherein thelatch mechanism includes a groove on the base.
 20. The device of claim19 wherein the latch mechanism includes a plurality of grooves on thebase.